2 Corinthians 10:3-6 – “For though we live as human beings, we do not wage war according to human standards, ⁴ for the weapons of our warfare are not human weapons, but are made powerful by God for tearing down strongholds.  We tear down arguments ⁵ and every arrogant obstacle that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to make it obey Christ.  ⁶ We are also ready to punish every act of disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, I was drawn to the power, purpose, and principle of prayer – Effective Fervent Prayer.

In Matthew 6:1-15, we find Jesus giving the disciples a simple yet complex pattern of prayer.  He gave them insight into prayer warfare.

Jesus promises that we will NEVER be forsaken or left defenseless.   We have a formidable enemy, far more powerful than us (in the natural).  That enemy HAS BEEN defeated but not annihilated.   Jesus authorized us to use the Word of God, the Spirit of God, the Blood of Jesus, and the Name of Jesus.   Authorization is not ability.   Ability is developed and learned.

We must reach the place where we believe Jesus has the ability.  We must reach the place where we believe He has granted us authority.  Then, we begin the process of learning to use the weapons.  If we focus on the wrong things, we will not prevail.  2 Corinthians 10:3-6 reveals the necessary truth that, if grasped, will enable us to become the overcomers Jesus said we are.

The flesh is not the enemy.   The enemy is the influencer, not the flesh.

Our weapons are not earthly.  They are not enhanced by human wisdom or talent but by total surrender to the living God.  True Victory begins in heaven, not on earth.

If we truly see the victory of Jesus and believe that we are authorized to use His weapons, we discover the courage to enforce Calvary’s victory.

• According to Eph. 1:7, by the Blood of Jesus, we are redeemed.
• According to Eph. 1:7, by the Blood of Jesus, ALL our sins are forgiven.
• According to 1 John 1:7, the Blood of Jesus continually cleanses us from ALL sin.
• According to Rom. 5:9, by the Blood of Jesus, we are justified, made righteous, just as if we had never sinned.
• According to Hebrews 13:12, by the Blood of Jesus, we are sanctified, made holy, and set apart.
• According to 1 Cor. 16:19-20, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, the devil has no place in us and no power over us.

The development of any ability in the natural requires F.I.T.

F = frequency.   (We have to regularly attempt to try.  Practice.)

I = Intensity.  (We do not become proficient trying between commercials or on coffee breaks.  It requires devoted effort.)

T = Time.  (We do not learn and develop abilities instantly.)

Therefore, in this warfare, to be effective requires knowledge of who God is, what He promised, and what He provided.  It requires the belief that we are authorized.   It requires commitment to Him.  It requires a willingness to fail repeatedly until we become Strong in the Lord and the Power of His Might!

We are commissioned, but are we convinced and committed?    F.I.T.  don’t quit, F.I.T.

May the energia of the Holy Spirit permeate your entire being!

Exodus 13:21 – “And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night.”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, two words kept echoing in my spirit: Faith and Follow.   Follow?   Follow what?  Follow Who?   As I read in the Book of Numbers and recalled from the Book of Exodus, I noticed a pattern in Israel’s movement through the wilderness.  They followed the cloud.

When the cloud settled, they stopped, set up camp, and occupied that place.  When the cloud lifted, they broke camp and moved to wherever the cloud moved.  That required faith and obedience.

The cloud was visible to them.  In the New Testament, they followed the Holy Spirit (the cloud).   He spoke through the prophets, visions, dreams, and impressions.   We have many examples of that – Paul going to Macedonia, Peter to Cornelius, Philip to Samaria, and then the desert to meet the Ethiopian.

Following the cloud (Holy Spirit) requires faith.  Without unwavering faith, we can easily become like the ten spies who brought a bad report to Israel.   Faith allows us to SEE beyond what our natural eyes see, and our minds perceive.   

• They SAW the land; it was good.
• They also SAW the giants (obstacles).   

Their faith was in themselves rather than the promises of God.  They forgot what God had done and failed to see the cloud.  They failed.  Joshua and Caleb SAW the cloud and said, “Those giants will be like bread to us.”   Faith in God was more powerful than the fear of man.

We are entering a season where we must either follow the cloud (the Holy Spirit) or perish in the wilderness.  Using my best East Texas vernacular, “We ain’t seen nothin’ yet!”   Troublesome times are coming.   

Over 45 years ago, I declared to a congregation that I saw a time coming when God’s people would have to trust God for EVERYTHING!  For food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, EVERYTHING!  We will have to follow the Cloud in Faith or Perish.

The Book of Revelation is about to become a reality.  But even before those cataclysmic events, the Last Days will be filled with the fruit of depravity and the manifestation of a society that has abandoned God.  Nations will crumble, and men’s hearts will stop out of fear of the terror prevalent.

We must follow the Cloud in unshakable Faith.  God will not fail.

Follow the Cloud every day!

Leviticus 26:27-28 – “And if you will not for (as a result of) these things (the judgments) hearken to Me, but walk (continue to live) contrary to Me; 28 THEN I will also walk contrary to you IN FURY; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, two aspects of God’s character and nature filled my consciousness: His long-suffering patience and His justice.

Tragically, those get pushed out of balance and even out of bounds.  Some argue that because God is loving and compassionate, nobody is in danger of eternal judgment (hell).   Others focus on God’s justice, judgment, and holiness and create the image of an angry, Omnipotent Tyrant where every minute failure brings eternal judgment (hell).

God is love, loving, compassionate, patient, and merciful.  Thank God for that!  He is also holy and just.  His holiness and love demand that He not turn a blind eye to rebellion.

In Leviticus 26, God made incredible promises for obedience and gave dire warnings for disobedience and rebellion.  I shudder when I consider the state of mankind today.  Even some who profess Jesus for whatever reason or motivation are either allowing abomination or are participating in unrighteousness.

In Leviticus 26, God warned of judgment or chastisement that would be harsh.   In Leviticus 26:27-28, we have God’s ultimate warning.  In verses 40-42, God’s call to repentance is accompanied by a promise of restoration.

As I look at society as a whole, I wonder how long God will be patient.  We fit the picture of Leviticus and those described as Last Days Corruption and Disobedience.   The warning to the church in Ephesus echoes in my heart today: “Nevertheless, I have something against you because you have left (abandoned or replaced) your first Love (total devotion to God).” He said left, not lost.

The plea of the Spirit of God today is “Repent and Return.”  Jude begins his letter with a condition and a position I desire for everyone and myself.  We are called, loved, and protected if we walk in obedience.  We will always be loved and called, but being protected is connected to obedience.  Lord, help us return to what we left (You) and be enveloped by Your love, mercy, grace, and peace.

Even in a time of judgment, we can enjoy God’s protection.   It is time for us to repent, return, and stand in the gap in intercession.  Today’s condition can only be met with judgment unless there is repentance.   We are called, loved, and protected in Him.    Make Him your all.

May your day be filled with His Presence!

1 John 3:18 – “My children, let us not love one another in word and in tongue (talk), but in deeds and truth (walk).”

As I read, prayed, and pondered the Word of God today, a thought kept echoing in my head and heart.  “Talk or walk.”   1 John 1:6 – “He who says (talk) he abides in Him (Jesus) ought himself to walk (live) even as walked (lived).”

The Book of 1 John is filled with references and examples of this thought: “talking or walking.”   It is easy to profess something.  It is easy to claim allegiance and self-identify.  But, if the life (walk) is not consistent with the talk, the talk becomes foam and fluff and not genuine.

Our attitude toward others reveals our heart.  We can say we love others, but if we cringe at the mention of their name, do we really love them?  We talk, but our hearts reveal the truth, and it manifests in our walk.

We can profess to love God (talk), but if our motivation is to gain possession or position, our walk belies that profession.   1 John 3:18 – “My children, let us not love one another in word and in tongue (talk), but in deeds and truth (walk).”

If our walk and our talk are consistent with the Word, we have peace, and out of that peace, we have confidence in God.  If we truly love God, we reject hate and walk in obedience to God’s Word.  Love conquers the world, the flesh, and the devil.  When the walk and the talk are consistent, we are Victorious!

1 John 1:9-11 capsulizes it – If we claim (talk) to love God but harbor animosity toward a brother (walk), we deceive ourselves.  John calls it living a lie.

Lord, help our talk be confirmed by our walk.  Help us to purify ourselves so that we can manifest You in what we say and what we do.  Please help us be lights shining in the darkness.  Let the words of our mouths, the meditation of our hearts, and how we live please You.  Please help us to talk the talk and walk the walk!

May the LORD help us to Walk what we Talk and Live as Examples of His Love, Mercy, and Grace!

2 Peter 1:4 – “Whereby are given to us exceeding great and precious promises that BY THESE you might be partakers of the Divine Nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.”

As I read, prayed, and meditated on the Word of God today, my heart was drawn to the epistle of 2 Peter.   Peter makes several interesting declarations, which could be considered challenges and are revelatory.

In 2 Peter 1:4, we read about Great and Precious Promises or ‘Exceeding Great and Precious Promises.  In vv.  2-3, we discover that the Promises include grace, peace, and knowledge of Jesus, as well as empowerment for life and worship.  Those promises and provisions are doorways to transformation.

Then he says, “Don’t stop there, do something more…”   In vv 5-8, we see the pathway to God’s fullness that we are to pursue diligently: faith, virtue, spiritual knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, kindness, and love.

Verse 8 – “For when (not if, when) these things are found among you and abound, you are not empty nor untruthful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Found or present and manifested.  In abundance or continually, are exhibited.)

Verses 10-11 speak of ‘good deeds’, making our calling and election sure.  Works?  No, the things identified in verses 5-8.  He says, “If those are characteristics of your life, you won’t fall.” He then reveals that practicing those things provides a portal into God’s everlasting kingdom.   This is part of Matthew 6:33, where we are instructed to seek God above all else.

He gives us the foundations of life and, from that platform, reveals that the coming trauma the world will experience won’t shake us.  As we consider what is happening and what is to come, we realize the answer to Peter’s question in 2 Peter 3:11 – “What manner of persons ought you to be in your holy conduct and godliness…”

In verse 14, he says something powerful: “Therefore, my beloved, while you look for these things (last days events), be diligent that you may be found by Him in peace, without spot and blemish.”

The focus is not on eschatological events and predictions but on Jesus.  It is on character.  It is on the presentation of Him to the world by our lives.  It is pulling down strongholds and setting the captives free.

2 Peter 2:9 is a verse to embrace as our personal promise and guarantee.  “The LORD knows how to deliver from distress those who revere Him, and He will reserve the wicked to be punished at the judgment day.” He knows how, and He does!

We have exceeding great and precious promises through which we have access to the Divine Nature and escape from the world’s corruption!

Focus on Jesus and diligently allow the Holy Spirit to shape your life, making your life full and fruitful.   Victory is ours!  Live full, live free, and live expectantly.  Do the deeds of righteousness!

Have a wonderful day and remember that we have Great and Precious Promises to Guide, Guard, and Gird us!